From: Rusty�Bullethole, [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Gun lobby attacks Straw over curbs on teenagers
James Clark, Home Affairs Correspondent
BRITAIN'S shooters have been warned that they
face "decimation" as Labour widens its attack on country
sports to include severe restrictions on shooting by
teenagers.
Jack Straw, the home secretary, is expected this
week to back an end to shotgun use by under-14s, a ban
on ownership until the age of 18 and a licensing scheme
for the sale and use of airguns.
The proposals were originally made by the Commons
home affairs select committee earlier this year. According
to Charles Clarke, the Home Office minister, the
government will this week "back the vast majority" of the
plans.
A spokesman for the British Association of Shooting
and Conservation (BASC) said: "If we cannot get people
involved when they are young, shooting will be decimated."
The move, designed to reduce the risk of crimes and
injuries caused by guns, will further alienate rural
communities already in near-revolt over the cost of fuel
and a proposed ban on fox-hunting. Labour faced protests
from up to 3,000 countryside campaigners on each day of
its conference in Brighton last week. The ban on handguns
was included in a video of its achievements shown before
the prime minister's conference speech.
"It's a fact that there are not too many of our
voters among these protesters," said a government source.
"The parliamentary party would like to see action."
At present, shotguns and firearms may be used by
under-14s on private property with adult supervision.
Between the ages of 14 and 17 they can be used without
supervision, but only with a certificate. Airguns do not
require a licence.
The BASC has accused the government of exaggerating
the safety risk. It told ministers earlier this year that
shooting has the lowest rate of accidental injuries of
all sports, quoting statistics from the Department of
Trade and Industry.
Clarke is understood to have warned colleagues that
while the government should tighten regulations, it
should not be seen as being vindictive towards shooters.
He said the "vast majority" of the original report's
suggestions had been backed. The response is expected to
be published on Wednesday.
Opponents claim that ministers have "grossly
underestimated" both the numbers of shooters and the
impact of the plans on the rural economy. More people
practise shooting, in the form of wildfowling, grouse or
pheasant shooting, than skiing, sailing, playing rugby or
hockey. The government accepts that shooting supports
around 40,000 jobs and generates L653m revenue.
There are 800,000 holders of shotgun certificates in
Britain and an estimated 2m people shoot.
Shooting estates also claim that the environmental
impact of a ban would be severe. They spend hundreds of
thousands of pounds a year maintaining a wide range of
plant and animal life to allow the birds to thrive.
Clive Aslet, editor of Country Life magazine, said
protests against the proposed ban would eclipse those in
support of fox-hunting.
"I cannot see the justification. There will be
enormous resentment and outrage. This is not only a sport;
in the country it is often the cement of people's social
lives," he said.
The ban is also likely to be extended to Scotland,
where many shooting estates are the chief employers in
remote areas.
The plans could mean that the Olympic double-trap
shooting gold medal won in Sydney by Richard Faulds, 23,
would be the last to be won by a British competitor.
--
Wait a minute, what about the licensing of airguns? How
on Earth are they going to achieve that?
I've got to say I think this is to some degree political
grandstanding because when are they going to find the time
to legislate?
Steve.
Cybershooters website: http://www.cybershooters.org
List admin: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
___________________________________________________________
T O P I C A The Email You Want. http://www.topica.com/t/16
Newsletters, Tips and Discussions on Your Favorite Topics
